CORPUS CHRISTI INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
JAMES W. FANNIN ELEMENTARY GRADING GUIDELINES
2012-2013
IN FLIGHT OF EXCELLENCE
The purpose of report cards and progress reports is to inform parent/guardians of
their child’s progress/grades during a specified time period. Grades entered in the
teacher’s grade book will report progress toward and achievement of the concepts
and skills as outlined by the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Fannin staff requires a combined use of the following grading practices:
 Multiple measures (more than one type of assessment to examine the
same kind of knowledge as well as more than one assessment to evaluate
learning of the same body of knowledge).
 Performance criteria for which student responses, products, or
performances are evaluated to ensure consistency in scoring and clarity
of student expectations.
 Continuous and timely feedback on assessments.
1.
Grades entered in the teacher’s grade book and report card grades will reflect
progress toward and achievement of knowledge and skills as outlined in the Texas
Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Teachers enter grades into eSchool Plus,
the District’s electronic grade book.
2.
A minimum of 6 separate grades during a six-week reporting period must be
recorded for each subject. This includes the content areas: Math, Reading, Language
Arts, Science and Social Studies.
Language (includes grammar, composition, and spelling)
NOTE: Spelling tests will be averaged to make 1 grade.
An average of one grade for each subject will be recorded weekly in the District’s
electronic grade book.
3.
Grade changes are the responsibility of the teacher of record.
4.
District Benchmark Assessments will be used as non-graded assessments. Teachers
will continue to use Six Weeks Assessments as graded assessments.
5.
Students will be allowed the opportunity to correct up to two teacher-designated daily
assessments that show progress toward the attainment of the TEKS. The corrected
assignment will recorded as no higher than a 70 in the grade book. Assignments that
are not corrected will remain as the original grade.
6.
When grades are determined to be mathematically incorrect, the principal shall direct
the teacher to adjust the grade.
7.
Students found to have engaged in academic dishonesty shall be subject to grade
penalties on assignments or tests and disciplinary penalties in accordance with the
Student Code of Conduct. A grade penalty of 50 will be imposed as the
maximum grade the student can earn on that assignment.
8.
9.
A student or parent who feels that the grade received by the student has not been
determined according to the District/Campus Grading Guidelines shall discuss the
concern with the teacher. If the concern is not resolved, the student or parent may
present the concern to the principal. The principal shall investigate the facts to ensure
that the grade is accurate and is determined according to established Grading
Guidelines.
COMMUNICATION AND REPORTING
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10.
GRADE AVERAGING AND RECORDING
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No single recorded grade shall be weighted more than 25 percent of the final
grade for any reporting period.
For late assignments or projects, 10 points will be taken off every day the work is
not turned in until the grade reaches a 70.
The final yearly grade will be determined by averaging together the final grades
for each six-weeks reporting period.
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11.
Teachers will update grades onto the district’s electronic grade book once a
week. Updates will be made every Monday. If Monday is a holiday, grades
will be updated by Tuesday.
A three-week progress report for a six-weeks’ grading period for students who
are failing or borderline (70-723) in an academic subject(s) will be sent to
parents.
The teacher shall request a parent/teacher conference when a student is not
achieving progress toward or achievement of the TEKS.
ATTENDANCE AND GRADES
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Students shall receive a grade of zero for any assignment or test not made up
within the allotted time. The allotted time to make up work for tests that have
been missed consists of one day for each day’s absence.
Students shall receive a grade penalty of 20 percent for make-up work after an
unexcused absence.
Teachers shall not impose a grade penalty for make-up work after an absence
because of a suspension.
Students shall be permitted to take tests administered in any class missed
because of an absence.
Teachers shall not impose a grade penalty for students whose attendance drops
below 90 percent of the days the class is offered. For students whose
attendance drops below 90 percent, alternatives to retention may be considered
by the Campus Attendance Committee.
12. CRITERIA FOR PROMOTION
Students are promoted/awarded credit based upon the following:
1. Grades 1, 2, and 3 -- A final grade of 70 or above in each of the following: language
arts, reading, and mathematics.
2. Grades 4 and 5 -- A final grade of 70 or above in each of the following: language arts,
reading, mathematics, science, and social studies.
3. Grades 3-8 Texas Assessment Program -- A student who fails any STAAR assessment
must receive accelerated instruction in the applicable subject area which may include
instruction outside of normal school operating hours.
A student who fails the reading or mathematics STAAR in grade 5 or grade 8 and who is
promoted to the next grade level must complete the required acceleration instruction as a
condition of promotion as determined by the Grade Placement Committee.
A student in grade 5 or 8 who is promoted by the Grade Placement Committee must be
assigned to a teacher in the next grade level who meets state and federal qualifications to
teach the subject in which the student failed the STAAR.
GRADE PLACEMENT COMMITTEE
The District shall notify the parent or guardian of a student who has failed to demonstrate
proficiency on the first administration of a grade advancement test. This notification should
be made within five working days of the District’s receipt of student test results, a
description of the District’s grade advancement policy, the accelerated instruction to which
the student has been assigned, and the possibility that the student might be retained at the
same grade level for the next school year. In addition, the notice shall encourage parents or
guardians to meet immediately with the student’s teacher to outline mutual responsibilities
to support the student during accelerated instruction (EIE Legal).
After a student fails to perform satisfactorily on an assessment instrument the second time,
a GPC shall be established to prescribe the accelerated instruction the student is to receive
before the assessment instrument is administered the third time. All efforts of support and
the accelerated instructional plan shall be documented in the District’s instructional
management system.
Copies of District Grading Guidelines and Campus Grading Guidelines shall be
available in the library, parent room, on-line and on file in the Principal’s office.
9/4/2012